Which tires for your Piaggio MP3 LT tricycle?
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The Piaggio MP3 LT with three wheels, engine power and appropriate weight consumes more tires than other scooters available under license B. What mounts are available? They are the same? How to extend the life of your tires? Scooter-Station has studied this question and will give you some valuable advice.
In France, the Piaggio MP3 LT has literally flooded the market. These high-tech passengers have revolutionized the world of motorized two-wheelers with their original two-wheeled front axle, guaranteeing safety, but above all, their homologation as a motorized tricycle, which gives them access to B license holders (car license subject to the famous mandatory 7 hours of training that came out last year).
According to the Maximum Scooter-Station dimensions created by owners of MP3s larger than 125 cm3 (250, 300, 400 and 500 cm3), but also according to the dealers we have contacted, it appears that tire wear on these atypical cars is very variable. It depends on the routes you choose (highway / city or city only) and the type of driving you choose. Indeed, professionals often notice jittery driving when the front tires are heavily worn around the edges (the shoulder of the tire) and the treads have harsh braking. Therefore, the large brakes in MP3 and MP3 LT wear out the front tires almost as quickly as the rear. In their opinion, the front axle should usually be replaced for a maximum of 10 km, while the "cooler" users manage to drive almost 000 km with it. At the rear, regardless of the type of driving, the wear is more even. In fact, on the MP25 LT, these tires have a lifespan of 000 to 3 km.
Michelin City Grip is featured in MP3 LT
When it comes to pricing, please note that resellers charge very different prices. Dealers of the Piaggio group, multi-brand or specialist in accessories and consumables, they do not order the same quantities and therefore do not receive the same discounts. So, to replace three tires with the Piaggio MP3 LT, calculate between 270 and 340 euros for the usual sizes.
When choosing a replacement tire, the first observation is clear: MP3 LT owners mostly stay true to the original mountings of their motorized tricycle. After all, when a car offers stable handling in dry and wet terrain where the mileage achieved seems decent, it's more than enough to convince. Suddenly, since the Michelin City Grip has been adopted by Piaggio as original equipment for the MP3 LT and seems to satisfy the most people, it remains very widely accepted here. However, the City Grip is far from the only reference tire available for the Piaggio MP3 LT and we invite you to take a look at this offer. Because when replacing these consumables, knowing all the possibilities is a definite advantage in finding the right tire for your driving and thus cuts down on your budget. With this review of tires suitable for the Piaggio MP3 LT, the Scooter-Station will light up your flashlight. Follow us !
MP3 LT Cover: Dunlop D207 Runscoot
For a long time, the Dunlop D207 Runscoot was the original Piaggio MP3 LT 250, then 300 cc. Its dry / wet behavior is considered good. Since it is considered “round,” it offers a very progressive angle setting. New, so it is very enjoyable, especially during urban evolution or, of course, with frequent course changes. Today you can find this Dunlop D3 Runscoot on sale almost everywhere, which is important if you need to change three tires on your MP207 LT at the same time.
Read also the opinion of Dunlop D207 Runscoot users on maxitest
MP3 LT tire: Michelin Pilot Sport SC
Prior to the Citygrip, this Michelin remained the benchmark for the large-displacement Piaggio MP3 LT model 400, as the 500 was not yet on the agenda. The Pilot Sport SC provides satisfactory traction and good front axle control, which is very important on a particularly heavy machine in the front.
Its staggered wear results in an unpleasant incline setting as the tire wears out and approaches the end of its life. Some users also complain about “shimi” (steering vibration) behavior at high speeds, but here again ride comfort rather than safety suffers. In dealerships, this bus is gradually giving way to City Grip, the preferred MP3 LT.
Read also the Michelin Pilot Sport SC user reviews on the maxitest website.
MP3 LT tire: Michelin City Grip
City Grip is unanimous among MP3 LT users. In addition to its uniformity on dry surfaces, it is known for its good behavior on wet surfaces. Thus, the closed tire technology already present in the Pilot Road 3 motorcycle tires brings satisfaction and reassurance to users. The rear City Grip tire adapts to all riding styles and is more durable than the Pilot Sport.
Read also Michelin City Grip user reviews on maxitest.
MP3 LT tire: Pirelli Diablo scooter
Again, as far as Dunlop or Michelin tyres, this Diablo scooter is based on motorcycle technology tailored to the specific characteristics of the scooter in general and the MP3 LT in particular. Looking back a bit on this tire that seems to have less shelf presence than the Michelin City Grip. The Diablo scooter features fast heat-up and excellent traction on dry ground. MP3 LT users who opt for it often compromise the ground clearance of the MP3 LT 400 or 500, the small plastic trim that retains the crankcase is an indication of wear. In general, users and dealers claim that dry traction is real strength, while wet surfaces show average behavior.
The Pirelli Evo 21/22 shows more or less the same remarks, in particular with regard to its dry grip, which appears to be high. The rear tire seems to wear out quite quickly after semi wear.
Read also the user reviews of the Pirelli Diablo Scooter scooters on the maxitest website.
Choosing tires for MP3 LT: Scooter-Station advice
The Piaggio MP3 LT has a parallelogram front axle, which should be checked regularly in the workshop for tightness and possible play. Because incorrect settings can cause uneven tire wear. Therefore, treatments should not be neglected, which should be carried out as often as possible.
Important: Piaggio MP3 LT are heavy scooters. Therefore, they make the tire carcasses work hard, especially when braking. Often tire pressures are not checked and are usually too low, resulting in heavier steering as well as accelerated tire wear, especially the front tires. So, to prolong their life, be sure to check your tire pressure.
In the event of significant damage to one of the front tires, such as hitting a blunt object, the desire to replace only one of the tires on your MP3 LT can be great. This is a bad option! This causes imbalances and inconsistencies in performance, especially on wet roads, as one of the two tires has less water drainage.
You should also avoid installing a 150mm rear tire on your MP3. Admittedly, this practice is sometimes used, in particular, to reassure the user of stability at high speed, but Piaggio does not recommend this. It also appears to be equivalent to the standard 140mm in durability.
Choosing a tire for scooter and motorcycle: consult maxitest!
Finally, you probably already know our famous maxitest, which collects tens of thousands of reviews from users of motorcycles, scooters, helmets ... and tires. This unique community booth is a very helpful resource to help you choose the following tires for your MP3 LT. Of course, you can also post your own impressions of the tires of your motorized three- or two-wheeled vehicle.
